JL Carpenter Law

Harassment is defined as any act that’s intended to annoy, embarrass, torment, alarm, abuse, or harass another person. Under Texas law (Texas Penal Code 42.07), harassment is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 180 days in prison and up to $2,000 in fines. Offenders are also prohibited from carrying weapons for five years. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at harassment when it’s perpetrated by police officers. If you were recently harassed by a member of law enforcement, what should you do? How can you protect your rights and feel safe when dealing with police officers again? Here are the three key steps you should take if it happens to you. 1. Report Misconduct Police misconduct should always be reported, no matter what the surrounding circumstances may be. If an officer recently harassed you, report their action  to your local police’s oversight board. In Houston, that office is called the Internal Affairs/Central Intake Office . Most police departments have...

This holiday season, if you plan to decorate your house with Christmas garlands, wreaths, ornaments, candles, Santa Claus figures, wall décor, lights, and gnomes, you should be familiar with local laws regarding decorations. Families across Texas have similar plans, and we’re excited to watch local neighborhoods come to life! However, your Christmas decorations can  get you in legal trouble. In this article, we’ll discuss three scenarios that can make things difficult for you. 1. Homeowners Association (HOA) The HOA  is an organization in a community, subdivision, or condo complex that enforces certain rules. If you live in a neighborhood with a strict HOA, your Christmas decorations could get you in trouble at some point. Most HOAs will send you a notice outlining the violation and giving you the opportunity to either take it down or modify it into compliance. It’s when homeowners ignore or outright defy the notice that they get into trouble. When you buy a home in such a nei...

Is it the most wonderful time of the year or the most dangerous  time of the year? According to Dr. Janet Lauritsen, a criminal justice and criminology professor at the University of Missouri, the crime rate in most cities increases  during the holidays. Three crimes are committed more than usual: drunk driving, theft, and cybercrime. In this article, we’ll look closely at these crimes and understand why they increase abnormally during the holidays. If you need legal help, we’ll also direct you to a qualified and competent criminal defense attorney in the Greater Houston area. 1. Drunk Driving As people attend holiday parties with family, friends, and coworkers, they unwisely think that they can drink and drive. This causes a spike in drunk driving  arrests. Most DWI arrests during the holidays take place at night from Thursday to Saturday, when parties are held. If you’re going to attend a holiday party and you’re driving, drink responsibly. But to avoid getting arrested...

According to research, 59% of Americans  have fallen victim to cybercrime at some point. Cybercrime refers to any criminal activity performed using the web. Examples include identity theft, phishing attacks, vishing attacks, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, ransomware attacks, website spoofing, malware, IoT hacking, cyberstalking, cyber grooming, cyber bullying, internet fraud, online job fraud, hacking/misuse of computer networks, among many others. In this article, we’ll walk you through the three most common types of cybercrime and their penalties in Texas. Keep reading. 1. Illegally Accessing a Network or Computer If a person illegally accesses a computer network without the permission of the owner and doesn’t cause any damage to the network or steal information, they’re charged with a Class B misdemeanor . A conviction can result in up to 180 days in prison and a maximum fine of $2,000. If there is damage or money is stolen, the crime increases to a first-degree f...

Under Texas law (penal code 22.04), child abuse/neglect  is defined as mental, emotional, or physical injury to a child that impairs their development, growth, or psychological functioning. This definition is very broad. For example, if you place a child in an abusive situation, you’re committing child abuse. If you fail to remove a child from an abusive situation, you’re also committing child abuse. Other examples of child abuse include intentionally neglecting to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical care to the child, engaging in or promoting any type of sexual activity involving the child, and administering a controlled substance (not prescribed by a licensed physician) that affects the child’s physical or mental state. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the charges for child abuse/neglect. Keep reading. 1.  The Penalties   Generally, anyone under the age of 17 is considered a child. However, if the victim is under the age of 14 and the perpetrator co...

Considered one of the most serious drug crimes in Texas, drug trafficking  can put you behind bars for a long time. Whether you’re caught manufacturing, delivering, or possessing an illegal drug with the intent to deliver, you will be arrested for drug trafficking. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the penalties for this crime. As you’ll notice, drug trafficking charges are directly proportional to the type of drug and the amount that’s involved. Hire a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney who understands drug trafficking laws to build a strong case with the goal of protecting your future and freedom. Substances in Penalty Group 1 Under Texas law, the following drug trafficking charges are imposed if a person is caught trafficking Substances in Penalty Group 1: cocaine, oxycodone, heroin, opium, methadone, ketamine, GHB, methamphetamine, and GHB, among others: ·  Trafficking <1 g of drugs: State jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years in pris...